An audio visual memorial comprises A. A SUPPORT FOR CARRYING A MEMORIAL OBJECT AND A COVER CARRIED ON THE SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION IN WHICH THE MEMORIAL OBJECT IS COVERED AND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH THE MEMORIAL OBJECT IS EXPOSED TO VIEW, B. FIRST MEANS INCLUDING A RECORDING OPERABLE...http://www.google.com/patents/US3928928?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US3928928 - Audio visual memorial

An audio visual memorial comprises A. A SUPPORT FOR CARRYING A MEMORIAL OBJECT AND A COVER CARRIED ON THE SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION IN WHICH THE MEMORIAL OBJECT IS COVERED AND A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH THE MEMORIAL OBJECT IS EXPOSED TO VIEW, B. FIRST MEANS INCLUDING A RECORDING OPERABLE TO PRODUCE AN AUDIO FREQUENCY MEMORIAL ACCOMPANIMENT TO EXPOSURE OF THE MEMORIAL OBJECT, AND C. SECOND MEANS COUPLED WITH THE COVER FOR EFFECTING OPERATION OF SAID RECORDING IN CONJUNCTION WITH SAID EXPOSURE OF THE OBJECT.

c. second means coupled with the cover for effecting operation of said recording in conjunction with said exposure of the object.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 AUDIO- VISUAL MEMORIAL BACKGROUND OF'THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to audio yisual memorials,and moreparticularlyconcerns a simple highly effective memorial capable of selectively displaying a memorial or keepsake item in conjunction with reproduction of associated s oundI i There has long been a need for a simple memorial capable of displaying a keepsake item with maximum sensory effect, as for example selective display of a keepsake item along with reproduction of sound patterns relating to the display. No prior device of which I am aware embodies the unusual combination of structure, mode of operation and results as now afforded by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a major object of the invention to provide an audio-visual memorial meeting the above need. Basically, the device is embodied in a combination that includes: a support for carrying one or more memorial objects, as for example a book containing a memorial, and a cover carried on the support for movement between a first position in which the object is covered and a second position in which the memorial object is ex posed to view; first means including a recording operable to produce an audio-frequency memorial accompaniment to exposure of the object; and second means coupled with the cover for effecting operation of the recording in conjunction with such exposure. For example, opening of the cover may effectively initiate playing of a recording, after which the cover is automatically closed.

As will appear, the referenced first and second means may respectively include a first drive to drive the recording and a second drive coupled with the cover to move it to second position, and a single motor may be coupled to the drives in the unusually advantageous manner to be described. Also, third means may be provided to deactivate the motor in response to travel of the recording (as for example an endless magnetic tape loop) to predetermined deactivating position, together with mechanism coupled with the cover to return it to first position in response to motor deactivatron.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more understood from the following description and drawings in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a frontal elevation of a memorial incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the FIG. 1 memorial.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing of recording and drive apparatus incorporated in the FIG. 1 memorial; and

FIG. 4 is a rearward frontal elevation of the FIG. 1 memorial in open or keepsake exposing condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the drawings, the audio visual memorial comprises a support 11 for carrying a memorial object, as for example a book or plaque 12, together with a cover (as may include cover sections seen at 13a and 13b) carried on the support. The object 12 may be placed i'nto pth e position shown in FIG. 4, resting against a support plate 110 inclined upwardly andrearwardly, as

is clear from FIG. 2. That Figure also shows that support 11 may include a chassisor housing with support feet 11b. 7

The'cover sections 13a and 13b are typically movable between first or closed positions (as seen in FIG. 1).in which they memorial object is covered, and second or open positions (as seen in FIG. 4) in which the memorial object is exposed ,to view. For thispurpose, the cover sections may be attached to hinge shafts 15, to the .lower ends of which pulleywheels 16 are connected, withinthe lower housing or chassis 100.

.As mentioned, first means-including a recording is provided to produce an audio frequency memorial accompaniment to exposure of. the object 12; and second means is coupledIwith-the cover,- or. cover sections, for effecting operation of the recording in conjunction with such exposure. The referred to housing may in this regardenclose the first and second means at a level which is. relatively lower than the object 12 extending upwardly as seen in FIG. 2.

The recording may comprise an endless tape loop 17 containedby a cassette or container 101 and feeding between tape drive capstan 18 and idler capstan 19, motor 20 driving capstan 18. The tape also feeds past read/write head 21 and is entrained over tension roller 22, the tape traveling from right to left past head 21 in FIG. 3. The output from head 21 is passed to printed circuit amplifier 23 whose output is connected with a speaker indicated at 24 in both FIGS. 2 and 3. Elements 17-24 may be considered as included within the scope of the first means referred to above, although a functionally equivalent structure may be substituted.

The motor 20 drives an override clutch 25 as by means of drive belt 26 coupled to motor pulley 27 and clutch pulley 28. The spring tension override clutch (a known mechanism), when driven, winds up until it reaches a predetermined torque: at which it then transmits drive to a pulley 29. The latter drives belts 30 and 31 which in turn drive the respective pulleys 16, as indicated. The cover sections 13a and 13b, thus opened by the drive, remain open until completion of the cycle determined by the recorded tape due to override operation of clutch 25; however, when the motor 20 ceases to drive the clutch, the wound up spring in the clutch then unwinds to drive belts 30 and 31 reversely effecting closing of the cover sections 13a and 13b. The elements 25-29, 15 and 16 may be considered as included within the scope of the second means, although functionally equivalent structure may be substituted. One example would be the one ofa simple spring hinge and slip clutch in place of'the override clutch as described.

When the pre-recorded cycle of the tape has played back, or completed one cycle of its loop, electrical contact may be made between the reeds on contact switch 32 and the metal surface of tension roller 22, as via a slot or slots in the tape loop. Alternatively, the tape loop may carry an electrically conductive coating at the stop" location thereon, to be contacted by the switch reed or reeds. Upon the establishment of such electrical contact, the motor 20 and playback portion of amplifier 23 are deactivated, and the cover sections 13a and 13b close, as described.

The entire unit may be made to operate either on line voltage, as suggested by cord 34 and plug 35, or by battery. Elements 20, 23 and 24 are commercially ob 3 tainable. Y

A start switch 37 is connected with the motor an amplifier, as via leads 38, the motor connected with such leads via control circuitry within unit 23.

It will be understood that more than one memorial object may be used.

I claim:

1. In an audio visual memorial, the combination comprising a. a support for carrying a memorial object in the form of an memorial book and a cover carried on the support for movement between a first position in which the memorial object is covered and a second position in which the memorial object is exposed to view,

b. first means including a recording operable to produce an audio frequency memorial accompaniment to exposure of the memorial object, and a first drive to drive the recording, and

0. second means coupled with the cover for effecting operation of said recording in conjunction with said exposure of the object,

d. the support including a plate inclined upwardly and rearwardly at the rear side of the book which is supported flatly against the plate, the support also including an enclosure enclosing said first and second means at a predetermined level, the support defining a locus for said book toextend higher than said predetermined level,

e. said second means including a second drive coupled with the cover to effect swinging movement of the cover to said second position, and there being a motor directly coupled to said first and second drives respectively and means to actuate the motor.

2. The combination of claim 1 including said object carried on the support.

4. The combination of claim 3 including third means responsive to travel of the tape loop to deactivate the motor, there being a mechanism coupled with the cover to effect return movement thereof to said first position in response to deactivation of the motor, said mechanism including a clutch through which drive is transmitted to the cover to move it to said second positron.